When the "Wait to start" light goes out does the actually mean that the glow plugs have turned off or are they still on? What I'm getting at, is whether or not it's truly necessary to sit there and turn the key on and off and on and off in the mornings or can I just turn the key to start and leave it in that position for a minute, then start the truck?

 

Read this tread

 

Some have added a light to the dash that goes to the glowplug side of the GPR and timed it at around 2 minutes, I believe. I have not added my light yet but plan on it soon. I have let the glow plugs cycle for the 2 minutes before I crank her over and at -5F( -15F windchill) after sitting for 8 hours, she starts right up. At my part-time job I can't plug in, so this method has worked really well for me.

 

Cool, so me turning the key on and off like and idiot everytime the wait to start light goes off isn't serving any purpose really, lol.

 

the time span depends on the temp...you can add a light..it is very simple..just read this link..

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...cator-led.html

 

I solved the problem of knowing when the GPR kicks on and off by buying a volt meter that plugs into the cigarette lighter. The voltage will read about 11 volts when the GPR is on. Even after the engine starts, the voltage will still stay around 11 volts until the end of the cycle.. about 1 minute, depending on the temperature.. I leave the meter plugged in all the time.. Also, you can keep a eye on the alternator voltage.. which is around 14.4 volts.. See:
http://www.cetsolar.com/voltmeter.htm

 

My glow plugs only really come on for the first start of the day, or if the truck has been sitting for a few hours. Like Ron said, it depends on temperature. But waiting for the "wait" to start and cycling the ignition is most important for the first start of the day.

 

You are correct, you're actually reversing what you're trying to accomplish. If it's cold, your plugs will stay lit for about 2 minutes, so cycling it on&off in that time is not as helpfull as just leaving them on. If it's warm out or the motor is upto temp, I don't even wait for the WTS, the plugs never come on. I installed a LED on the pillar w/my gauges and have leatned allot about GPR activity.

 

That's a neat little item you found there.

 

Ya.. i like them.. I have one on my boat and in my Rv trailer to keep a eye on the 12volts.

 

I was watching my volt gauge to monitor the glow plugs until I took the time to install the LED.